Transport Canada, an army of the Canadian government, officially confirmed on Tuesday that Santa Claus has been cleared for a safe take-off for his journey to deliver toys to boys and girls around the world on Christmas Eve.

Transport Canada is an agency responsible for transportation policies and programs throughout the country, including the most northern parts where the North Pole is reportedly located.

"[We are] pleased to announce that Santa Claus has successfully passed his pre-flight inspection and is set for a safe take-off ... His cargo has been screened, his sleigh loaded and his flight plan filed," said a Transport Canada representative. "Santa and his team of reindeer are expected to leave the North Pole ... on time to make his Christmas deliveries."

According to the Canadian agency, Santa's worldwide flight for Christmas 2014 has been upgraded to a very high-tech venture.

"This year the elves have really upped their game [in preparing Santa for flight]," Transport Canada said.

Among this year's top tech-friendly additions to both Santa's sleigh and his journey to deliver gifts, jolly old St. Nick's sleigh has been equipped with Wi-Fi as well as an innovative new app that will help him manage his Naughty & Nice list. On top of all that, Santa and his sleigh have been equipped with a brand new, state-of-the-art fleet of drones.

"Giving Rudolph a much-needed break, Santa's drones will help guide his sleigh and scout out the safest and most efficient route," Transport Canada said. "Of course, the elves trained Santa on all the necessary safety features and applied in advance for his SFOC -- Santa's Flight Operations Certificate."

Transport Canada has also reported that, like all pilots, Santa must undergo an annual physical to keep his license. The agency says that he passed this year's physical with flying colors.

Mrs. Claus is reportedly very happy with the high-tech overhaul to her husband's age-old sleigh.

"On the big night, I take comfort knowing that my husband will deliver toys to all little boys and girls safely and securely," Mrs. Claus said. "Now that Santa can use his smartphone on board, I'll be able to follow his journey as he posts updates to his Instagram account at each stop."

Now that we know Mrs. Claus will be tracking her husband throughout the length of his gift-giving journey, wouldn't you like to keep tabs on the big guy too? Well, thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), you can!

NORAD has been tracking Santa and his Christmas Eve flight around the world every year for more than 50 years total. Since 1958, the people working at NORAD along with their friends and family have volunteered their time answering phone calls and emails from children worldwide who wanted to find out when Santa would be visiting them. NORAD now uses the Internet to help pinpoint Santa's whereabouts, using the NORAD Track Santa website.

NORAD successfully tracks Santa's Christmas journey using four different methods. The agency uses an official radar system as well as satellites that fly at 22,300 miles above the Earth and are programmed to hone in on Santa's movements.

NORAD also uses a SantaCam system to help in its tracking mission. The NORAD SantaCams are high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are positioned at several locations around the world. These cameras are only used once a year -- on Dec. 24. The cameras are programmed to capture both still images and videos of Santa and his reindeer while they are hard at work. The pictures and videos are then uploaded to the NORAD Santa Tracking website for all the world to see.

Lastly, NORAD uses fighter jets to escort Santa throughout his Christmas Eve journey.

The fighter planes fly first in Canada, to welcome Santa to North America on the big night. From there, these fighter jets are stationed at several other points throughout Canada to help escort Santa. After cruising through Canada, Santa is met in the United States by teams of fighter pilots who then escort him through his journey there.

"While in the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either F-15s, F-16s or F-22s get the thrill of flying with Santa and the famous reindeer -- Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph," a NORAD representative said.

For those interested in tracking Santa, you can visit the NORAD Track Santa website, where a clock is currently counting down the hours until Santa takes flight. Additionally you can use the official NORAD Track Santa tracking map (below), which will make Santa's flight path available in real time. The tracking map will go live as soon as NORAD verifies that Santa has lifted off.